Lincoln, Neb. —
What is your position at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln?
I am an Assistant Professor of Practice in the Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications Department specializing in teacher support for agriculture and skilled and technical science teachers. I provide targeted professional development and outreach across Nebraska, with a focus on Western Nebraska and the Panhandle. My specializations are in the areas of Agricultural Mechanics and Parliamentary Procedure, and I conduct teacher support through regional workshops ranging in duration from 1-hour workshops to multi-day graduate-level short-courses in technical agriculture subjects. My responsibilities also include providing distance and independent study courses for teachers working on alternative certification and students pursuing their agricultural education degree through our 3+1 articulation agreement with Chadron State College.
What drew you to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln?
UNL has long been a leader in agricultural education. My position was a newly created position in 2022 to focus on providing current teachers with just-in-time support to both reduce the load on the teachers and provide coursework in requested content areas. My background and interests closely aligned with the new position and being at a Nebraska Research Extension and Education Center closer to where the teachers are located was very appealing. The potential of what the position could evolve into also drew me to this position. Providing workshops across the state has been very gratifying, and the teachers have been very appreciative of our efforts to help them.
What aspect of working in an educational setting do you enjoy the most?
I enjoy working with teachers through technical short-courses and workshops, visiting high school agriculture programs, and meeting students who are interested in becoming teachers. I like seeing what programs are doing and sharing the cool things I see with other teachers to help them make their programs better. Teachers know the content they would like additional experience with and are grateful when we can provide them with the training they most need in a timely manner.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Personally, my greatest achievement would be my six children. Most of them are out in the world adulting at this point, and my wife and I are very proud of them. Academically, I have been able to secure funding for several projects that have led to some cutting-edge professional development for teachers. Most recently I was awarded a USDA-NIFA grant (Automation in the Heartland) that focuses on increasing productivity in agricultural systems through the use of micro-controllers and open-source CNC. The 5-year project will allow me to help up to 60 teachers from across the Midwest learn about coding, design, and automation as it relates to agricultural production. The teachers could share this content with over 1,000 students.
What is something that most people don't know about you?
I am a volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America and provide shooting sports (archery, rifle, and shotgun) education through regional training events for scout leaders. I have served as a summer camp counselor for several different summer camps teaching a variety of merit badges including environmental science, forestry, wildlife management, archery, rifle shooting, and shotgun shooting. I enjoy working with the youth and leaders in the BSA program.
What is your life like outside of work?
Outside of work, I like spending time with my family, being in the outdoors, and serving as a parliamentarian. I am a Registered Parliamentarian, and I regularly provide training on the use of parliamentary procedure and serve on the national committee for the National FFA Organization’s Conduct of Chapter Meetings Leadership Development Event, an event focused on training students in 7th through 9th grades on the use of parliamentary procedure to run meetings. I enjoy camping and cycling and have cycled the 108 miles of the Mickelson Trail from Deadwood to Edgemont several times.